Chapter 98
One fine spring day, with the sunlight feeling just right.
A man with a neatly trimmed beard was savoring some overly tangy cheese and young wine at a terrace seat of a cafeteria, where streetcars passed and a sun-kissed maiden crossed by.
"Benvenuto-san! So this is where you were!"
"Oh, Bruno-kun. What's got you so worked up on such a lovely afternoon?"
Licking the cheese from his fingers, the bearded man—Benvenuto—turned to face his ever-hurried assistant, Bruno.
"There's been an update to Donuts, haven't you heard?!"
"Hm? Ah, yeah, looks like it."
"Don't give me a 'looks like it'! If you don't rush to the scene, Benvenuto-san, then who will?!"
"Young researchers these days are all so talented. They'll manage just fine without me."
Benvenuto spread some cheese on a cracker, popped it in his mouth, and gave a shrug.
"Stop being so relaxed and get moving already!"
Bruno forcefully tugged on Benvenuto's arm.
In contrast to the cheerful weather, the Dungeon Foundation's Euro HQ was in a state of uproar.
The Euro HQ housed "Norn," a research institution affiliated with the Dungeon Foundation and known for its many major achievements in dungeon studies. Norn's value wasn't solely due to its capabilities and results. It also held one of the Foundation's most critical anomalous substances. Its name was "Donuts." Alongside "Outer Sea Six Paths" and the "World's End Scenario" held by the JPN HQ, it was considered a key anomaly for humanity's survival.
Donuts" was a weathered, ring-shaped monolith, said to predate even the "World's End Scenario.
If the "World's End Scenario" recorded factors that would collapse the current order on grimy parchment, then "Donuts" depicted external threats seen from a much closer perspective. In other words, it conveyed imminent crises the Dungeon Foundation was currently facing. Since it recorded real dangers the "World's End Scenario" couldn't predict, swift response was imperative.
Led by his assistant Bruno, Benvenuto arrived at Donuts, where the researchers were noisily busy with their hands, feet, and mouths. In the cool center of the hall, under white lighting, ancient words were inscribed on the ring-shaped monolith.
"Ahh, yeah, there really are new additions. Didn't think it was true."
"See? I told you!"
"Hmm, metal monster, huh."
"Huh?"
As Benvenuto muttered while gazing up at Donuts, Bruno widened his eyes in surprise.
Benvenuto looked puzzled, wondering if he had said something strange.
"Benvenuto-san, you're quick at deciphering... I didn't even say anything about the additions, did I?"
"Well, that's why they called me here. I've gotta read it, don't I?"
"That's true, but... (This guy always surprises me.)"
Benvenuto looked up at Donuts.
The inscription revealed that a dungeon dangerous enough to warrant an addition to Donuts had appeared.
"Silver hue, Metania, Metal Noah..."
"What do you think it means...?"
"It's an Archon Dungeon."
"Rulers of the old world, you mean?"
Benvenuto nodded solemnly.
"To seize the Ark, the faithful bring dungeons to the surface. Among them, Archon Dungeons are considered practically 'untreatable' threats, so we enforce sealing protocols... but this addition left out something critical."
"Really? I mean, the date and even the time are written."
"The location."
"Ah..."
Benvenuto scratched his head, looking troubled.
"Well, if it's an Archon Dungeon, it's not going to be a small-scale one the Foundation would overlook. If we sweep every dungeon that appeared at this time and date, we should find it."
"Hmm... I hope you're right."
Benvenuto had a bad feeling in his gut.
Donuts had never missed on the time or place of an Archon Dungeon before—could it really be wrong this time?
And if it wasn't a mistake, then why was the coordinate missing?
"A coordinate that shouldn't exist on the surface... Could be a pocket dimension or... maybe it appeared inside another dungeon..."
"Is that even possible?"
"How should I know? With those crazy cultists, who knows what they'll summon or where. Wouldn't be surprising, right?"
————
——Switching to Akagi Hideo's perspective
Hey there, it's Akagi Hideo.
Looks like Happy-san was feeling sleepy and just started napping right next to me.
Protecting this beautiful girl's sleep is the mission my senior assigned to me.
The plan to assign Shimaenaga-san and ensure she gets a good rest seems to be working well.
But still, her arm looks incredibly painful.
She didn't even have any decent recovery potions—maybe she's low on money.
It might hurt my senior's pride, but I can't let a younger girl stay in that much pain. At least while she's in front of me, things should be peaceful.
"So, Bean Pastry-san."
"Chee!"
"Yes, yes, Shimaenaga-san."
"Chee."
"Heal Happy-san's arm for me."
Shimaenaga-san let out a deep sigh, as if to say "Can't be helped, chee. It's part of getting off probation, chee," and activated her skill.
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'Blasphemous Regeneration'
A challenge to the world.
Defiler of life.
Regenerates all forms of life.
Usable once every 720 hours.
Resolve cooldown with 10,000 MP.
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With a black mist, countless black hands extended from the void.
The blasphemous effect enveloped Happy-san's wound, and the black hands wove dark particles together to rapidly regenerate bone, then flesh around it, blood, muscle fibers, and skin. It didn't feel this evil when it healed Violence-san. Maybe since this time it was a serious injury with missing parts, 'Blasphemous Regeneration' went all out. Yeah.
"Chee chee chee."
"Good work, Shimaenaga-san."
"Chee♪"
There's no doubt that Shimaenaga-san is an excellent healer.
And the overly evil-looking skill is part of the charm, I guess.